From Taraba to Borno, Kano to Anambra, and across the FCT, the girls who converged at Abuja from across Nigeria have returned home to ignite a fresh wave of innovation, with many schools now integrating new STEM clubs, new practical projects, and new aspirations for science and technology.

Girls from North East Nigeria, including Taraba and Borno States, joined their peers from the North West, especially Kano, where several teams emerged, along with strong representations from Anambra State and schools across the Federal Capital Territory.

The diverse attendance reflected the national character of the summit and the growing hunger among girls to participate in Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.

The summit recorded about a thousand participants across two days.

With the support of ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Dr. Bosun Tijani, NITDA, NCC, USPF, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Digital Economy and Innovation, and the Internet Society Nigeria Chapter, the summit showcased how collaboration can empower girls to tackle pressing issues across energy, environment, health, agriculture, robotics, digital innovation, and sustainable development.

From solar-powered solutions and waste management systems to AI-powered educational tools and community-focused projects addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the event delivered one of the most comprehensive and impactful STEM showcases in recent Nigerian history, highlighting the ingenuity and leadership potential of the country’s next generation of female innovators

The momentum behind this year’s summit was fueled by WITIN Girls’ STEM Clubs & Outreaches winning the 2024 Nature Award for Inspiring Women in Science | Science Outreach Category(the award was presented in partnership with The Estée Lauder Companies).

The prestigious award prize enabled WITIN to launch the National STEM Competition & Exhibitions for Girls 2025, themed: “Innovate for Impact: STEM Solutions for a Sustainable Future.”

The call attracted remarkable interest:

• 265 online entries at the state level
• Regional exhibitions hosted in Sokoto, Borno, Kano, Anambra, Oyo, Delta, and Ogun states
• The top 25 projects advancing to the national finals in Abuja

The competition encouraged girls to choose at least one United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and develop STEM-based solutions addressing real problems in their communities, practically applying STEM subjects being taught in the classrooms.

Participation was open to teams of three secondary school girls supported by a STEM teacher- mentor. Key dates stretched from Feb 11 (International Day of Women and Girls in Science) through International Girls in ICT day to the grand finale held on October 22–23, 2025, in Abuja.

The post-event report by WITIN revealed the summit has sparked the formation of several new STEM clubs nationwide.

Many schools that previously struggled with STEM engagement are now introducing robotics, coding sessions, and sustainability projects inspired by the exhibition.

“This is more than an event. It is a transformation,” said Martha Omoekpen Alade, Executive Director of Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN). “Girls from rural and urban schools are returning with renewed confidence. We are seeing classrooms transformed into mini innovation hubs.”

The summit featured a powerful roster of national and international leaders, including:

• Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy
• Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, ITU
• Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director-general, NITDA
• Mr Yomi Arowosafe, Secretary, USPF
• Markie Idowu, non-executive director, Standard Chartered Bank
• Jane Egerton-Idehen, CEO, NIGCOMSAT
• NihinLola Fafore, Public Relations Director, Huawei Nigeria
• Abibat Olatunji, Head of Legal, CPN
• Malik Afegbua, Film Director, “The Elder Series”
• Kunle Olorundare, President, Internet Society Nigeria Chapter
• Kolawole O. Olobashola, Director, FCT Department of Science, Technology & Innovation
• Mahmood Tunde Hassan, Director, IIET
• Nneka Blessing Ekwe, Director, Energy Research Center, UniAbuja
• Edowaye Makanjuola, Head, IT Projects, USPF
• Samira Danburam, Manager, USPF
• Patrick Oghuma, Head, Engineering and Emerging Technologies Team, SITOPEO- 5, FMIST
• Niran Oyekale, Chairman/CEO, CTC

At the national exhibition, several schools received special recognition awards for outstanding performance:

1. Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja
2. Castle Hill Academy, Abuja
3. Government Science & Technical College, Garki
4. Doveland High School, Abuja
5. New Girls Science & Technical College, Kano
6. UBEC Model Smart School, Kano
7. Federal Technical College, Jalingo, Taraba
8. Great Heights Academy, Abuja
9. Regina Pacis International School, Anambra
10. Al-Mubarok Islamic College, Ogidi, Ilorin (offsite)
11. Okpe Grammar School, Sapele, Delta (offsite)
12. Careland School, Lagos

Winners

• 2nd Runner-Up:

Governor’s Girls College, Kano – Solar-Powered Truck (Renewable Energy Category)

• 1st Runner-Up:

Federal Government College, Maiduguri – Sustainable Smart City (Urban & Habitation Solutions)

• WINNER – National Champion:

Trinity Secondary School, Onitsha – SACHA (Waste Management Category)

The summit also benefited from strong academic partnerships, with 11 universities across Nigeria lending support, mentorship, and expertise to the participants.

Partnering institutions included University of Abuja, University of Lagos, Covenant University, American University of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Bayero University, Lead City University, Thomas Adewumi University, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, and Mountain Top University.

These collaborations provided not only mentorship for the young innovators but also a platform for knowledge exchange, guidance on STEM projects, and opportunities to connect with industry and research experts, reinforcing the summit’s mission to cultivate the next generation of female tech leaders nationwide.

Industry leaders are praising the event’s role in nurturing a pipeline of young female innovators poised to shape Nigeria’s technological future. Several teams are already in talks with mentors, investors, and organizations seeking to help turn their prototypes into deployable solutions.

One month later, many of the girls are still making headlines for the ingenuity of their designs, demonstrating that the afterglow of innovation from the WITIN summit is far from fading. If anything, it is gaining momentum.

As schools continue to adopt new technologies and hands-on learning inspired by the summit, one thing is clear: “In moments when crises try to dim the path, Nigeria’s girls remind us that innovation is still possible, and the future is still worth building.”

WITIN STEM Exhibition 2025 DAY 1 Photos:

WITIN STEM Exhibition 2025 DAY 2 Photos:

Recognized locally, nationally and internationally for ability to deliver projects diligently with 100% Principal satisfaction, she won the AWIEF award barely five months of being named among WSIS Prize 2022 Champions following her WomenPRIDE.Africa Project.

The winners of the 2022 AWIEF Awards were announced last night at a glittering ceremony on the rooftop of the Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo, Egypt.

The awards ceremony and gala dinner capped the two-day #AWIEF2022 Conference, which was held in North Africa for the first time.

The prestigious annual AWIEF Awards recognise, honour, and celebrate women entrepreneurs and business owners in Africa across various industry sectors for their achievements and contribution to the continent’s inclusive economic growth and social development.

And the winners of the 2022 AWIEF Awards are:

. EMPOWERMENT AWARD – Martha Alade – Founder, Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN), Nigeria

. YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARD – Gisèla Van Houcke – Founder and CEO, Zuri Luxury Hair and Beauty, DR Congo

. TECH ENTREPRENEUR AWARD – Sahar Salama – Founder and CEO, TPAY Mobile, Egypt

. AGRI ENTREPRENEUR AWARD – Korka Diaw – President, Réseau des Agricultrices du Nord, Senegal

. ENERGY ENTREPRENEUR AWARD – Mona Al Adawy – Founder and CEO, GeoEnergy Petroleum Services, Egypt

. CREATIVE INDUSTRY AWARD – Abai Schulze  – Founder and Creative Director, ZAAF Collection, Ethiopia

. SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR AWARD – Lumbie Mlambo – Founder and CEO, JB Dondolo, Zimbabwe

. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Manal Amin – CEO, Arabize, Egypt

Irene Ochem, AWIEF Founder & CEO, said at the ceremony: “Congratulations to the winners and thank you to our judges. I always feel a little emotional when it comes to the AWIEF Awards ceremony because it means that we’re nearing the end of the year’s activities, but it’s a bittersweet feeling because we also get to celebrate phenomenal women. It’s an opportunity to see the fruits of our work and know why we do what we do.”

Also speaking, Izabela Milewska, Digital Skills Global Leader at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Headline Sponsor of the AWIEF Awards, said: “I applaud wholeheartedly every single woman gathered here today and especially all the award nominees and winners. Your work and achievements are the north star for many other women to follow your footsteps, learn from your incredible experience and dream big.

“Amazon Web Services is proud to partner with Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum and support this community with education and training opportunities across Africa, in an effort to accelerate gender equality and women empowerment through cloud computing technology.”

The award recipient, Martha Alade told TechEconomy.ng that winning the prestigious award will spur her to do more in the ecosystem

In her words: “Winning this prestigious award is a great inspiration for me. This award will further spur me to redouble efforts on delivering for Women in Tech!  Thanks to AWIEF for this recognition and our promise at WITIN has always been to remain remain focused.

Martha Alade is an Artificial intelligence and ICT4D Consultant with 20+ years of experience working in the intersection of technology and development with expertise on gender equality, diversity and inclusion.

She possesses in-depth experience working with both the public, private and grassroots sectors and Passionate about Internet Governance.